Vocational rehabilitation counselor Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM

Schedule: 24hrs/weekly

Position Overview

The LADAC provides professional substance use counseling and support services to incarcerated individuals within a correctional healthcare environment. This role focuses on assessment, treatment planning, group and individual counseling, relapse prevention, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary healthcare and custody team. The LADAC promotes recovery, rehabilitation, and reentry readiness while ensuring compliance with professional, ethical, and legal standards. The ideal candidate will show strong understanding of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence in working with diverse populations.

Essential Job Duties

✓ Conduct comprehensive substance use assessments, screenings, and evaluations in accordance with state licensure requirements and facility policy

✓ Develop and implement individualized treatment plans that address substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health issues, and criminogenic needs

✓ Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions using evidence-based practices (e.g., CBT, Motivational Interviewing, relapse prevention)

✓ Provide education on substance use, recovery, coping skills, and community resources

✓ Document all clinical interactions, assessments, and progress notes accurately and in compliance with correctional healthcare standards, HIPAA, and state requirements

✓ Collaborate with medical, mental health, and custody staff to coordinate comprehensive care

✓ Support continuity of care by actively collaborating with discharge planer to ensure referrals, and linkage to community-based treatment programs are in place upon release

✓ Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and staff training

✓ Maintain professional boundaries and uphold ethical standards while working in a correctional environment

✓ Respond to emergencies, crises, and acute behavioral health needs as required

Minimum Education/Experience Requirements

✓ Current state licensure as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) or equivalent credential required

✓ Bachelor's or Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field preferred

✓ Minimum 1–2 years of clinical experience in substance use disorder treatment required; correctional or forensic experience strongly preferred

✓ Experience with evidence-based practices for substance use disorders

Additional Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Competencies

✓ Clear and effective verbal and written communication with all coworkers, supervisors, jail administration, and patients

✓ Excellent verbal and written comprehension

✓ Excellent deductive reasoning and problem-solving abilities

✓ Excellent organizational skills

✓ Ability to use a computer and use/learn a variety of software, including site-specific computer programs

✓ Must demonstrate ability to appropriately and safely use standard medical equipment

✓ Ability to respect the dignity and confidentiality of inmates

Employment Requirements

✓ Must maintain all certifications, educational requirements, licensing, etc. for this position

✓ Must have current TB test (taken within one year)

✓ Must adhere to all facility policies and procedures as well as the policies and procedures listed in the Employee Handbook

✓ Willing to assist coworkers in the job duties and work overtime if required; may act as a resource to other coworkers

✓ Maintains confidentiality, dignity, and security of health records and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA requirements

Security Requirements

✓ Must undergo security training and orientation on facility safety policies and procedures

Physical/Mental Requirements

This position routinely requires (but is not limited to) the following:

✓ Ability to both remain stationary and move/traverse throughout the facility, including up and down flights of stairs

✓ Ability to position oneself in different spaces

✓ Ability to convey and discern information in a conversation, frequently communicate with patients; must be able to exchange accurate information.

✓ Ability to identify and detect objects and assess situations from a variety of distances

✓ Ability to stay calm in stressful and demanding situations

✓ Frequently transports objects up to 50 pounds

Work Environment

Work is performed inside a correctional facility. Employees are exposed to some level of risk and/or harm by inmates including exposure to blood borne pathogens. Employee is expected to work in accordance with all security rules and regulations to minimize the risk of danger and/or harm to themselves or other employees.

Other

Employee must comply with all current and future State, Federal, and Local laws and regulations, court orders, Administrative Directives and standards and policies and procedures of the site where assigned, including those of professional organizations such as ACA, NCCHC, etc. Employee must treat every other member of the CorrHealth team, all correctional personnel, all inmates and third parties in the facility with the proper dignity and respect. Actions or communications that are inappropriate or degrading will not be tolerated.

Must be able to pass a background check and pre-employment drug test (as applicable).